Technoglitch
Core Member
India on Thursday launched its e-Tourist visa facility for Chinese nationals for the first time, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the move would deepen connectivity between the neighbours.
Starting July 30, Chinese nationals will be able to arrive at nine Indian airports after applying for tourist visas online. The e-Tourist visa application, which will cost US$ 60, would be processed within four days, Indian officials said.
Announcing the move on Chinese Twitter equivalent Sina Weibo, Prime Minister Modi wrote to his 1.76 lakh followers in a message posted in Chinese: "I am delighted to share that the e-Tourist Visa is now available to passport holders of China. I had talked about this during my China visit, and the Government of India has fulfilled this promise."
The hope is that the move will boost Chinese tourist inflows, which have remained low. Chinese travel agencies had, in the past, attributed the low numbers to difficult visa procedures, which required Chinese to apply in person at visa centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou as well as deposit 10,000 RMB (Rs. 1 lakh) as a financial guarantee.
While Chinese outbound tourism has soared in the past decade - more than 100 million Chinese travel overseas every year, spending in excess of $ 100 billion - visits to India have remained low. For instance, while around 1.7 lakh Chinese visit India annually for tourism and business - tourists contribute to less than half that number - more than 3 lakh Chinese visit the Maldives.
India launches e-Visa for Chinese nationals to boost tourism : India, News - India Today
Starting July 30, Chinese nationals will be able to arrive at nine Indian airports after applying for tourist visas online. The e-Tourist visa application, which will cost US$ 60, would be processed within four days, Indian officials said.
Announcing the move on Chinese Twitter equivalent Sina Weibo, Prime Minister Modi wrote to his 1.76 lakh followers in a message posted in Chinese: "I am delighted to share that the e-Tourist Visa is now available to passport holders of China. I had talked about this during my China visit, and the Government of India has fulfilled this promise."
The hope is that the move will boost Chinese tourist inflows, which have remained low. Chinese travel agencies had, in the past, attributed the low numbers to difficult visa procedures, which required Chinese to apply in person at visa centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou as well as deposit 10,000 RMB (Rs. 1 lakh) as a financial guarantee.
While Chinese outbound tourism has soared in the past decade - more than 100 million Chinese travel overseas every year, spending in excess of $ 100 billion - visits to India have remained low. For instance, while around 1.7 lakh Chinese visit India annually for tourism and business - tourists contribute to less than half that number - more than 3 lakh Chinese visit the Maldives.
India launches e-Visa for Chinese nationals to boost tourism : India, News - India Today
